One name was left off the list of riders previously announced for the European espoir spring project: Brandon Crichton, 19, of Burlington, Ont. is also a member of the eight-man Canadian team that will be tackling a tough calendar of events in France and Belgium.

National coach Yury Kashirin and espoir coach Jacky Hardy decided to send an extra two riders on top of the six the project had been planned for in order to help keep the riders fresh.

"We thought that six is very tight," said Kashirin. "With eight, Jacky can focus some people on the classics, some people on the climbing races. The group will be more flexible."